Linda+Mines's+Schools

Minutes from IB Exploration Committee Meeting 14 December, 2009 Administrative Personnel present: Randy Tucker, Rickie Pierce, Elaine Milazzo and Jessica Good
 * Summary of IB FINDINGS **

IB Exploration Committee: Linda Mines, Chairman, Will Kesler, Linda Dizer, Marla Neal and Chris Zeller with guidance from Jessica Good Guests: Sean Caulfield and Cathie Kasch 1. Twenty-one IB schools, representing private, parochial and public schools, have been contacted regarding the IB program. The one of IB Committee members has interviewed the IB coordinator at each school either via email or by telephone. The interview began with the list of questions developed by committee members. As each conversation occurred, committee members responded with additional appropriate questions. 2. Of the twenty-one schools researched, over half offer both the Middle School and Senior IB program. 3. All twenty-one schools reported that their experience with the IB program was either SATISFACTORY or OUTSTANDING. 4. Advantages noted from participation in the IB program included: a greater number of students participating in the IB program vs the AP program, the emphasis on hands-on exploration in all fields, the continuity of concepts, skills, tools, etc. as the student progresses through the IB program, the development of curriculum around the core elements, the ability to incorporate a final project focuses on the individual student’s talents, interests and goals and an increased acceptance of IB credit in both US and international schools. 5. Minor drawbacks gleaned from the conversations included: extensive paperwork required for each teacher and for the IB coordinator; a mailing budget of approximately $15,000-$25,000 depending on the number of students involved in the IB program [only US or both schools], the cost of training faculty and the ‘bureaucracy’ associated with the program. 6. Recommendations for further exploration:  a. On-site visits to IB schools by members of the IB Committee. We will attempt to schedule these visits during next semester.  b. Interview faculty or administrative personnel from schools who “tried” IB and have withdrawn from the program or from schools where the research was  conducted and the administration chose not to pursue IB. Identifying these schools will require research since IB will only share with us the names of current IB schools.  c. Since the adoption of the IB program would mandate a major philosophical and curriculum change at GPS, we recommend that the exploration of the program proceed in a thoughtful manner. We believe that the quality of our research is more important than meeting an arbitrary deadline.  Linda Mines, Chairman Type in the content of your page here.